Naikuni feted for ‘contribution to air transport business’

Dr Naikuni received the ‘Airline Business Award’, which recognizes an individual who has made a lasting strategic contribution to the air transport business, during this year’s edition of the awards that were held in London at the weekend.

In the citation, the judging panel, which comprises highly-respected industry professionals including analysts and former chief executives, noted: “During his 10 years at the helm, Dr. Naikuni has steered Kenya Airways on to a profitable and stable growth path and established it as one of Africa’s leading airlines.”

“During the course of his tenure, revenue has more than trebled to $1.2 billion, passenger numbers have jumped to 3.6 million and the airline’s fleet has doubled to 42. Kenya Airways has totally revamped its fleet and become the first carrier in the region to join a global alliance, as well as a leading beacon of private enterprise in a region where state ownership remains the norm,” the judges added in part.

Speaking after receiving news of the recognition, Dr. Naikuni said that it was a great honour to be feted by colleagues in the aviation industry from across the world.

“I would like to acknowledge colleagues at Kenya Airways and our customers, whose support has contributed to this recognition,” the Kenya Airways CEO added.

Among past winners of the ‘Airline Business Award’ are: Akbar Al Baker, the CEO of Qatar Airways (2012) and Tim Clark, the CEO of Emirates Airline (2011).

Other individuals recognized in this year’s Airline Strategy Awards included: James Hogan, the CEO of Etihad Airways in the Executive Leadership category; Carolyn McCall, the CEO of Easyjet in the Low Cost Leadership category and Tewolde Gebremariam, the CEO of Ethiopian Airlines in the Regional Leadership Award category.

Ryanair, Turkish Airlines, Lufthansa and KLM were also awarded in the Finance, Marketing, Technology and Environment categories.